Amazing

This past Monday, I saw something that reminded me that God is amazing.

My wife and I showed up at our church cafe' to help serve a prime rib meal to a group of single mom's who where living in a woman's shelter. Two business guys and their wives who attend our church felt Jesus leading them to hold a monthly meal for these dear ladies and their children. This event is truly a God thing. I'm so proud of these families who have gone out of their way to provide an exquisite meal for these dear people who are experiencing great difficulty.

When we arrived at the church, the cafe' was abuzz with activity. A meal was being prepared for about 30 to 40 people. The prime rib smelled awesome. I asked how we could help. Jake Huff, one of the guys who leads this meal told me that he wanted us to go out and sit down and just chat with these women. That sounded simple.

At first, I walked around not knowing how to engage in conversation. I felt like an idiot. Finally, I sat down with four women and began to ask them questions. The conversation was forced and uncomfortable at first but then things began to loosen up. One young woman explained to me that she had to be assisted into the building because she had a condition that required chemo-therapy. In the process of receiving chemo, her hip sockets had degenerated and she was now facing a double hip replacement at the age of twenty. I asked, "Can we pray for you?" She said, "No". She realized I was startled by her response and then said, "Well, at least not here."

As we continued our conversation, the love of God began to fall on me. She told me that the day before, a friend of hers had spoken to her and said, "God's going to get you!" She explained to me that she was terrified of what that meant. She indicated that she probably deserved everything that was happening in her life. Without thinking, I stood up and said, "I know what that means." I reached out to her, drew her head to my chest and held her. She is younger than my own children and I felt deep compassion for her. I could feel her weeping. I explained to her that God loved her deeply and was not angry with her.

After they had finished eating, I asked her again, "Can we pray for you?" This time it was a very quick "Yes". I asked a friend to help her to a soft chair. She was barely able to walk as she hobbled to a little corner of the cafe'. She had left her crutches at the woman's shelter. She need so much help.

Once she was seated, a group of people from our church surrounded her and asked if they could place their hands on her. (I am so proud of my church) She agreed and we began to pray. We prayed for what seemed like about five minutes, calling on our God to show His mercy and power. I asked, "Is there anything happening?" She said, "I don't know." I assured her that it OK and we wanted her to be honest with us. We continued to pray and after another few minutes I asked her again, "Are you experiencing anything?" She moved her left leg and suddenly tears began to stream down her face. She was not making a sound but it was as if her eyes had sprung a leak. I have never seen so many tears. She said, "It feels better." Our faith was now strengthened.

We took another few minutes and prayed, asking God to demonstrate his love and mercy, commanding the body to come in line with His will. Again, we stopped and I said, "How's it going?" Before she could answer, someone in the group said, "Maybe you should stand up." She winced expecting great pain and then rose to her feet as easily as a normal twenty year old. Her first words were, "Oh my gosh!" She raised up on her tip toes and again said, "Oh my gosh!" More tears as she lifted each of her knees as if marching....."Oh my gosh!" Suddenly, I heard myself whisper to myself, "Oh my gosh!" She walked around the cafe' with a big smile. Her friends were visibly stirred by what had happened.

I have seen God heal before but this was dramatic. God's love had penetrated a broken, fearful heart and brought the gift of healing to his young woman. That night, two things happened to me. First, I fell in love with my God all over again. Second, I am re-enlisting in the mission to equip an army of fully devoted disciples of Jesus who extend God's Kingdom by the power of the Holy Spirit.